Jordan (; Arabic: الأردن‎‎ al-‘Urdunn [al.ʔur.dunn]), officially The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Arabic: المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية‎‎ Al-Mamlakah Al-Urdunnīyah Al-Ḥāshimīyah), is an Arab kingdom in Western Asia, on the East Bank of the Jordan River. Jordan is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the east and south; Iraq to the north-east; Syria to the north; Israel, Palestine and the Dead Sea to the west; and the Red Sea in its extreme south-west. Jordan is strategically located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe. The capital, Amman, is Jordan's most populous city as well as the country's economic, political and cultural centre.What is now Jordan has been inhabited by humans since the Paleolithic period. Three stable kingdoms emerged there at the end of the Bronze Age: Ammon, Moab and Edom. Later rulers include the Nabataean Kingdom, the Roman Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. After the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in 1916 during World War I, the Ottoman Empire was partitioned by Britain and France. The Emirate of Transjordan was established in 1921 by the then Emir Abdullah I and it became a British protectorate. In 1946, Jordan became an independent state officially known as The Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan. Jordan captured the West Bank during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, which it later lost in 1967, and the name of the state was changed to The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1949. Jordan is a founding member of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, and is one of two Arab states to have signed a peace treaty with Israel. The country is a constitutional monarchy, but the king holds wide executive and legislative powers.
Jordan is a relatively-small, semi-arid, almost-landlocked country with a population numbering 9.5 million. Sunni Islam, practiced by around 92% of the population, is the dominant religion in Jordan. It co-exists with an indigenous Christian minority. Jordan is considered to be among the safest of Arab countries in the Middle East, and has avoided long-term terrorism and instability. In the midst of surrounding turmoil, it has been greatly hospitable, accepting refugees from almost all surrounding conflicts as early as 1948, with most notably the estimated 2.1 million Palestinians and the 1.4 million Syrian refugees residing in the country. The kingdom is also a refuge to thousands of Iraqi Christians fleeing the Islamic State. While Jordan continues to accept refugees, the recent large influx from Syria placed substantial strain on national resources and infrastructure.
Jordan is classified as a country of "high human development" with an "upper middle income" economy. The Jordanian economy, one of the smallest economies in the region, is attractive to foreign investors based upon a skilled workforce. The country is a major tourist destination, and also attracts medical tourism due to its well developed health sector. Nonetheless, a lack of natural resources, large flow of refugees and regional turmoil have hampered economic growth.

Jordan: photos and pictures

Jordan: numbers and facts 2018

Map of hotels and accommodation

Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations awarded Britain the mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain demarcated a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s. The area gained its independence in 1946 and thereafter became The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The country's long-time ruler, King HUSSEIN (1953-99), successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank; in 1994 he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, King HUSSEIN's eldest son, assumed the throne following his father's death in 1999. He implemented modest political and economic reforms, but in the wake of the "Arab Revolution" across the Middle East, Jordanians continue to press for further political liberalization, government reforms, and economic improvements..

Jordan is located in Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq.

When you travel to Jordan remember that the climate is mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April).

A Taste of Jordan. Travel Jordan for Vacation, Tours and Holiday

Jordan is a small but fascinating country in the Middle East. It is probably best known for its ancient city of Petra, but it has far more to offer than just that. There are dozens of famous historical and biblical sites, Roman remains, crusader castles and timeless desert scenery. Jordanian hospitality is also second to none, and they welcome visitors with open arms. Drink a cardamom coffee, or try the nargileh (water pipe) whilst you are there, and soak in the atmosphere of a country that will remain in your memories long after you leave.

When to Visit Jordan

Even though it's a small country, due to its topography, the climate varies greatly even on the same day from it's tallest mountain of 1500 metres to the red sea coast. That said, the general consensus is that the spring time of March to May is the best time to visit, as the temperatures don't reach the extreme highs of the summer, nor the chilly depths of winter. Most people do not realise that in the winter months, Petra can see temperatures lower than -5 degrees.

Things to See and Do in Jordan

The Kings Highway – One of the best ways to see what the country has to offer, is to rent a car in either Amman or Aqaba, and spend a few days driving the route known as the Kings Highway. This follows an ancient route through the varied ecological zones of Jordan, and more importantly, takes in the vast bulk of the must-see sites along the way. Petra, Roman fortresses and crusader castles can all be seen at leisure, and the route is well marked with plenty of service stations and places to eat along the way.Petra – The pre-eminent archaeological site in Jordan is of course Petra. It's magnificence is comparable to Machu Picchu and Angkor Wat, and it is located between the Dead and Red seas. You enter Petra by walking through a long and winding sandstone canyon known as the Siq. On exiting, the jaw dropping Treasury comes into view. This is a huge temple carved into the sandstone rock, as is most of Petra itself, and certainly the most photographed monument in Jordan. Petra does have many more buildings and structures though, each one giving off a different vibe. If there is only one place you visit in Jordan, then Petra has to be it.

Travel information and tips: Jordan

Terrain is: mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River.

Most popular languages in Jordan are:
Arabic 97.9% (official),
Armenian 1.0%,
Circassian 1.0%.
The capital of Jordan is Amman.
Other largest cities and towns in Jordan that are actually worth visiting:
Amman (1,000,000),
al-Zarqa (389,815),
Irbid (231,511),
al-Rusayfa (137,247),
Wadi al-Sir (89,104).
Population of Jordan is about 5,083,000 people.
If you plan a short trip or vacation in Jordan in the future, make sure you add Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey, Saudi Arabia to your list.

Practical travel advice to help you choose the best time for a vacation. Booking, reviews and advice on hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, travel packages, and a lot more!

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